Graveside service for Mrs. Bettye Joyce Sims Pace will be 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at Forest Lawn Gardens Cemetery in Anniston, Alabama. Bettye, formerly from Oxford, Alabama, lived in Boaz, Alabama, and passed away peacefully Sunday, December 10.

Bettye was born on March 22, 1935, to her parents, Mancil Mitchell Sims and Cora Mae  Brooks Gamel Sims.  Bettye graduated from Oxford High School and continued her education at Jacksonville State University where she received a degree in education, then continued her study to earn a Master's degree in Education.  She taught at many different schools; Winterboro, Mechanicsville, Eulaton, and Wellborn Elementary, and touched many lives along the way.  Bettye was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother who was always laughing and smiling and had the heart of a servant.  She was dearly loved by all who knew her.

Bettye is preceded in passing by her parents, husband, Dean Pace, and sister, Frankie Bradley.
Survivors include her brother, Roy Milton (Buddy) Sims (Margaret), children, David Pace (Lisha), Carol Pace Jones (Jimmy), grandchildren John David Pace, Emily Jones Nelson (Jim), Riley Jones (Chandler), Eli Jones (Jessica), and Jay Jones. Great-grandchildren are Jonesie Kate Nelson, Jimmer James Nelson, Pace Lawson Jones, and Mary Hollis Jones.

Pallbearers will be her son and grandsons.

Special thanks to Shepherd's Cove Hospice and all of Bettye's sitters who took such good care of her.